Methods and systems for reviewing ultrasound images

ABSTRACT

The systems and methods described herein generally relate to reviewing ultrasound images between different ultrasound exams. The systems and methods acquire a plurality of ultrasound images of an anatomical structure during a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasound probe, analyze the ultrasound images to identify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images, group the ultrasound images into groups based on the anatomical characteristics, and display at least one group of the ultrasound image on a graphical user interface (GUI).

FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to reviewing ultrasoundimages within and/or during different ultrasound exams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During an ultrasound exam a series of ultrasound images (e.g., overfifty images) are acquired. As part of a protocol, the clinician (e.g.,sonographer, doctor, nurse) may take measurements from the ultrasoundimages, review the ultrasound images, and/or prepare a diagnosis report.The review of the ultrasound images by the clinician includesdetermining, which of the ultrasound images can be used to diagnoseand/or answer questions regarding a pathology of interest. Once theultrasound images are selected, the selected ultrasound images arelabeled and used to perform anatomical measurements. Optionally, theanatomical measurements may be performed on ultrasound images prior tobeing labeled. However, the clinician currently manually selectsultrasound images increasing an amount of time to perform the diagnosisreport. Additionally, the clinician may select ultrasound images that donot match and/or mischaracterize the group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for grouping a plurality of ultrasoundimages acquired during an ultrasound exam) is provided. The methodincludes acquiring a plurality of ultrasound images of an anatomicalstructure during a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasound datareceived from an ultrasound probe, analyzing the ultrasound images toidentify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images, groupingthe ultrasound images into groups based on the anatomicalcharacteristics, and displaying at least one group of the ultrasoundimage on a graphical user interface (GUI).

In an embodiment, a system (e.g., medical imaging system) is provided.The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasounddata of an anatomical structure, a display, and a controller circuit.The controller circuit is configured to acquire a plurality ofultrasound images during a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasounddata received from an ultrasound probe, analyze the ultrasound images toidentify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images, groupthe ultrasound images into groups based on the anatomicalcharacteristics, and display at least one group on a graphical userinterface (GUI).

In an embodiment, a tangible and non-transitory computer readable mediumis provided. The tangible and non-transitory computer readable mediumincludes one or more programmed instructions configured to direct one ormore processors. The one or more processors are directed to acquire aplurality of ultrasound images during a first ultrasound exam based onultrasound data received from an ultrasound probe, analyze theultrasound images to identify an anatomical characteristic in theultrasound images, group the ultrasound images into groups based on theanatomical characteristics, and display at least one group on agraphical user interface (GUI).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of amedical imaging system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of a method forgrouping a plurality of ultrasound images acquired during an ultrasoundexam.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a plurality of ultrasound images andgroups.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user interface shown ona display.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user interface shown ona display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of certain embodiments will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To theextent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional modules ofvarious embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarilyindicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, forexample, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors ormemories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., ageneral purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory,hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand-aloneprograms, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, maybe functions in an installed software package, and the like. It shouldbe understood that the various embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional elements not having that property.

Various embodiments described herein generally relate to groupingultrasound images acquired during an ultrasound exam. For example, amedical imaging system is provided herein. The medical imaging system isconfigured to group acquired ultrasound images based on a pathology ofinterest, a clinical diagnosis, field of views of an anatomicalstructure, and/or the like. Optionally, the grouping of the ultrasoundimages by the medical imaging system is based on a user selection from auser interface, a protocol, and/or the like. Additionally oralternatively, the medical imaging system may determine differences inthe pathology of interest, an anatomical measurement of interest, or afield of view between ultrasound exams.

A technical effect of at least one embodiment described herein reduces amischaracterization or misclassification of ultrasound images acquiredduring the ultrasound exam. A technical effect of at least oneembodiment described herein enables a user to group ultrasound imagesautomatically based on a pathology of interest. A technical effect of atleast one embodiment described herein reduces an amount of time for theclinician to generate a diagnosis report.

TERMS

The term “view window” for an ultrasound image refers to a viewposition, direction and/or orientation of the ultrasound image ascaptured by an ultrasound probe. Non-limiting examples of view windowsinclude the parasternal view (e.g., long axis view, short axis view),apical view (e.g., 2 chamber view, 3 chamber view, 4 chamber view, 5chamber view), and subcostal views (e.g., 4 chamber view, short axisview, inferior vena cava view). Ultrasound images with different viewwindows can be captured for a particular anatomical structure byadjusting the position, directional alignment and orientation of theultrasound probe, which similarly adjusts the position, directionalalignment and orientation of the field of view for the transducer(s) ofthe ultrasound probe.

The term “ultrasound exam” refers to an acquisition of one or moreultrasound images of one or more anatomical structures. The ultrasoundexam can represent a continuous and/or discontinuous acquisition of theone or more ultrasound images (e.g., 2D, 3D, 4D) during a scan of apatient. The scan of the patient may last up to a minute and/or an hour.Optionally, the ultrasound exam can be based on one or more protocols.

The term “anatomical structure” refers to an anatomical part of apatient. The anatomical structure includes an organ (e.g., heart,kidney, lung, liver, bladder, brain, neonatal brain, embryo, abdomen,and/or the like), vascular structure (e.g., vein, artery, mitral valve,aortic valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve), tissue or portion of anorgan (e.g., breast tissue, liver tissue, brain tissue, cardiac tissue,prostate tissue, and/or the like), skeletal structure, and/or the like.The anatomical structure is indicative of a pathology of interest, ananatomical function, and/or the like.

The term “anatomical characteristic” refers to a structural feature ofthe anatomical structure. Non-limiting examples of anatomicalcharacteristics include dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, depth),a shape, a boundary dimension (e.g., thickness, shape), a number ofcavities or chambers, fiducial markers, and/or the like.

The term “anatomical measurement” refers to a measurement of theanatomical characteristic and/or the anatomical structure shown in anultrasound image. The anatomical measurement may represent a volume, anarea, a surface area, a wall thickness, a dimension, a blood flow,and/or the like.

The term “pathology of interest” refers to a portion of the anatomicalstructure having an irregular and/or structural deviation relative to ahealthy anatomical structure. The pathology of interest represents theportion of the anatomical structure having a disease or illness. Thepathology of interest may correspond to the portion of the anatomicalstructure having valvular stenosis, valvular insufficiency, valveregurgitation, arthritis, kidney stones, cancer, an obstruction, fetalabnormalities, and/or the like.

The term “candidate trend” refers to a change in the pathology ofinterest or an anatomical measurement between two or more ultrasoundexams of a patient. The ultrasound exams may occur at different times.The candidate trend is indicative of a change in the anatomicalstructure, where the change is associated with the pathology of interestand/or a change in the anatomical measurement. Non-limiting examples ofcandidate trends represent a change in blood flow, dimensions of theanatomical structure or the anatomical characteristic, and/or the like.

The term “protocol” refers to a predefined method of acquiringultrasound images and/or anatomical measurements of the anatomicalstructure. The protocol may define particular view window to be usedwhen acquiring ultrasound images or an anatomical structure.Additionally or alternatively, the protocol defines one or moreanatomical measurements to be obtained for select ultrasound images. Theprotocol may be pre-defined based on the pathology of interest,anatomical structure, clinical diagnosis, and/or the like. Optionally,the protocol may be defined by the clinician, received from a remoteserver, pre-defined by the medical imaging system, and/or the like.

The term “clinical diagnosis” refers to a process of determining adisease and/or condition for symptoms of a patient. The process includesidentifying an anatomical function that is performed and/or enabled bythe anatomical structure. The clinician assesses the anatomical functionto identify the disease and/or the condition. Non-limiting examples ofanatomical functions are a cardiovascular function (e.g., diastolicfunction, systolic function, cardiac cycle), a renal function, adigestive function, a metabolic function, a detoxification function,and/or the like. The process can represent a decision tree. The decisiontree includes acquisition of ultrasound images having view windows,anatomical measurements of the ultrasound images, and/or the like toenable the clinician to assess the anatomical function. Optionally, theprocess is included in the protocol for the clinical diagnosis.

The term “real time” or “real-time” refers to a process performed by themedical imaging system (e.g., a controller circuit) while scanning apatient and/or during an ultrasound exam, and may vary based on aprocessing speed and/or operating specification (e.g., no intentionallag or delay). Real time includes updating an ultrasound image shown onthe display after each ultrasound pulse within a scan and/or after eachultrasound scan sequence. Additionally or alternatively, ultrasound datamay be stored temporarily in memory of the medical imaging system duringthe ultrasound exam and processed in a live or off-line operation.

The term “machine learning algorithm” refers to an algorithm that isadjusted over multiple iterations from received observations and/ordata. The machine learning algorithm represents a form of artificialintelligence that learns from the observations and/or data. For example,the machine learning algorithm is adjusted by supervised learning,unsupervised learning, and/or reinforcement learning. Non-limitingexamples of machine learning algorithms are a decision tree, K-means,deep learning, artificial neural network, and/or the like.

The term “image analysis algorithm” refers to a machine learningalgorithm that has been trained to identify an anatomical structure,anatomical characteristics, and/or a view window of the anatomicalstructure of an ultrasound image.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of amedical imaging system 100. For example, the medical imaging system 100is shown as an ultrasound imaging system. The medical imaging system 100may include a controller circuit 102 operably coupled to a communicationcircuit 104, a display 138, a user interface 142, an ultrasound probe126, and a memory 106.

The controller circuit 102 is configured to control the operation of themedical imaging system 100. The controller circuit 102 may include oneor more processors. Optionally, the controller circuit 102 may include acentral processing unit (CPU), one or more microprocessors, a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or any other electronic component capable ofprocessing inputted data according to specific logical instructions.Optionally, the controller circuit 102 may include and/or represent oneor more hardware circuits or circuitry that include, are connected with,or that both include and are connected with one or more processors,controllers, and/or other hardware logic-based devices. Additionally oralternatively, the controller circuit 102 may execute instructionsstored on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g.,the memory 106).

The controller circuit 102 may be operably coupled to and/or control acommunication circuit 104. The communication circuit 104 is configuredto receive and/or transmit information with one or more alternativemedical imaging systems, a remote server, and/or the like along auni-directional and/or bi-directional communication link. The remoteserver may represent a database that includes patient information,machine learning algorithms, remotely stored ultrasound images fromprior ultrasound exams of a patient, and/or the like. The communicationcircuit 104 may represent hardware that is used to transmit and/orreceive data along the uni-directional and/or bi-directionalcommunication link. The communication circuit 104 may include atransceiver, receiver, transceiver and/or the like and associatedcircuitry (e.g., antennas) for wired and/or wirelessly communicating(e.g., transmitting and/or receiving) with the one or more alternativemedical imaging systems, the remote server, and/or the like. Forexample, protocol firmware for transmitting and/or receiving data alongthe uni-directional and/or bi-directional communication link may bestored in the memory 106, which is accessed by the controller circuit102. The protocol firmware provides the network protocol syntax for thecontroller circuit 102 to assemble data packets, establish and/orpartition data received along the bi-directional communication links,and/or the like.

The uni-directional and/or bi-directional communication links may be awired (e.g., via a physical conductor) and/or wireless communication(e.g., utilizing radio frequency (RF)) link for exchanging data (e.g.,data packets) between the one or more alternative medical imagingsystems, the remote server, and/or the like. The bi-directionalcommunication links may be based on a customized communication protocoland/or a standard communication protocol, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP,WiFi, 802.11, Bluetooth, and/or the like.

The controller circuit 102 is operably coupled to the display 138 andthe user interface 142. The display 138 may include one or more liquidcrystal displays (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) backlight), organiclight emitting diode (OLED) displays, plasma displays, CRT displays,and/or the like. The display 138 may display patient information, one ormore ultrasound images and/or videos, components of a graphical userinterface, one or more 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound image data sets fromultrasound data stored in the memory 106 or currently being acquired inreal-time, anatomical measurements, diagnosis, treatment information,tags, and/or the like received by the display 138 from the controllercircuit 102.

The user interface 142 controls operations of the controller circuit 102and the medical imaging system 100. The user interface 142 is configuredto receive inputs from the clinician and/or operator of the medicalimaging system 100. The user interface 142 may include a keyboard, amouse, a touchpad, one or more physical buttons, and/or the like.Optionally, the display 138 may be a touch screen display, whichincludes at least a portion of the user interface 142. For example, aportion of the user interface 142 may correspond to a graphical userinterface (GUI) generated by the controller circuit 102, which is shownon the display 138. The touch screen display can detect a presence of atouch from the operator on the display 138 and can also identify alocation of the touch with respect to a surface area of the display 138.For example, the user may select one or more user interface componentsof the GUI shown on the display by touching or making contact with thedisplay 138. The user interface components may correspond to graphicalicons, textual boxes, menu bars, and/or the like shown on the display138. The user interface components may be selected, manipulated,utilized, interacted with, and/or the like by the clinician to instructthe controller circuit 102 to perform one or more operations asdescribed herein. The touch may be applied by, for example, at least oneof an individual's hand, glove, stylus, and/or the like.

The memory 106 includes parameters, algorithms, protocols of one or moreultrasound exams, data values, and/or the like utilized by thecontroller circuit 102 to perform one or more operations describedherein. The memory 106 may be a tangible and non-transitory computerreadable medium such as flash memory, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and/or the like.

The memory 106 may include an image analysis algorithm. The controllercircuit 102 executes the image analysis algorithm to identify theanatomical characteristics in the ultrasound image, and the FOV of theanatomical structure. Optionally, the image analysis algorithm may bereceived along one of the uni-directional and/or bi-directionalcommunication links via the communication circuit 104 and stored in thememory 106.

The image analysis algorithm may be defined by one or more machinelearning algorithms to identify the anatomical structure in theultrasound image based on the anatomical characteristic. Additionally oralternatively, the image analysis algorithm is configured to determine aview window of the anatomical structure. The image analysis algorithmmay be executed by the controller circuit 102 as the ultrasound imagesare acquired (e.g., in real-time) by the medical imaging system 100.

Optionally, the image analysis algorithm utilizes a pixel and/or voxelanalysis of the ultrasound image. For example, the anatomicalcharacteristic is identified by the controller circuit 102 based onfeatures of the pixels and/or voxels in the ultrasound image. Thefeatures of the pixels and/or voxels is identified by the controllercircuit 102 using histogram orient gradients, blob features, covariancefeatures, binary pattern features, and/or the like. The image analysisalgorithm may correspond to an artificial neural network formed by thecontroller circuit 102 and/or the remote server. The image analysisalgorithm may be divided into a plurality of artificial neural layers.The artificial neural layers may represent different functions and/oroutputs of the image analysis algorithm. For example, the artificialneural layers include an input layer configured to receive an inputimage, an output layer configured to identify the anatomical structureof the input image, a view window layer, and/or one or more intermediatelayers. The artificial neural layers represent different groups or setsof artificial neurons, which can represent different functions performedby the controller circuit 102 on the ultrasound image. The artificialneurons in the layers are configured to examine individual pixels in theultrasound image. The artificial neurons apply different weights in thefunctions applied to the ultrasound image to attempt to identify theanatomical structure. The image analysis algorithm identifies theanatomical structure by assigning or associating different pixels in theultrasound image with different anatomical characteristics based onanalysis of the pixels.

Additionally or alternatively, the image analysis algorithm uses aclassification algorithm to identify the anatomical characteristic. Forexample, the classification algorithm identifies one or more anatomicalcharacteristics in the ultrasound image. The identification of the oneor more anatomical characteristics can be based on a size, a shape,and/or the like. The classification algorithm classifies (e.g., randomforest classifier, principal component analysis, and/or that like) theone or more anatomical characteristics into a plurality of categories orclasses.

The controller circuit 102 may determine the view window of theanatomical structure. The controller circuit 102 determines the viewwindow based on one or more of the anatomical characteristics. Forexample, controller circuit 102 identifies an orientation and/or spatialposition of the one or more anatomical characteristics within theultrasound image. The controller circuit 102 determines the view windowbased on the orientation and/or spatial position of the one or moreanatomical characteristics with respect to each other. The spatialposition may include a distance(s) and/or relation between at least twoof the anatomical characteristics. Change in the spacing between atleast two anatomical characteristics may occur when the anatomicalstructure is not perpendicular to the view window of the transducerarray 112.

Additionally or alternatively, the image analysis algorithm isconfigured to identify one or more of the anatomical characteristicsindependent of the ultrasound image mode. For example, the imageanalysis algorithm is configured to identify one or more of theanatomical characteristics of a color flow ultrasound image, a B-modeultrasound image, a C-mode ultrasound image, an M-mode ultrasound image,and/or the like.

The ultrasound probe 126 may have a transmitter 122, transmit beamformer121 and probe/SAP electronics 110. The probe/SAP electronics 110 may beused to control the switching of the transducer elements 124. Theprobe/SAP electronics 110 may also be used to group transducer elements124 into one or more sub-apertures. The ultrasound probe 126 may beconfigured to acquire ultrasound data or information from the anatomicalstructure of the patient. The ultrasound probe 126 is communicativelycoupled to the controller circuit 102 via the transmitter 122. Thetransmitter 122 transmits a signal to a transmit beamformer 121 based onacquisition settings received by the controller circuit 102. Theacquisition settings may define an amplitude, pulse width, frequency,gain setting, scan angle, power, time gain compensation (TGC),resolution, and/or the like of the ultrasonic pulses emitted by thetransducer elements 124. The transducer elements 124 emit pulsedultrasonic signals into the patient (e.g., a body). The acquisitionsettings may be defined by the user operating the user interface 142.The signal transmitted by the transmitter 122 in turn drives a pluralityof transducer elements 124 within a transducer array 112.

The transducer elements 124 emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into a body(e.g., patient) or volume corresponding to the acquisition settingsalong one or more scan planes. The ultrasonic signals may include, forexample, one or more reference pulses, imaging pulses, one or morepulsed wave Doppler pulses, and/or the like. At least a portion of thepulsed ultrasonic signals backscatter from the anatomical structure toproduce echoes. The echoes are delayed in time and/or frequencyaccording to a depth or movement, and are received by the transducerelements 124 within the transducer array 112. The ultrasonic signals maybe used for imaging, for generating and/or tracking shear-waves, formeasuring changes in position or velocity within the anatomic structure,differences in compression displacement of the tissue (e.g., strain),and/or for therapy, among other uses. For example, the probe 126 maydeliver low energy pulses during imaging and tracking, medium to highenergy pulses to generate shear-waves, and high energy pulses duringtherapy.

The transducer elements 124 convert the received echo signals intoelectrical signals, which may be received by a receiver 128. Thereceiver 128 may include one or more amplifiers, an analog to digitalconverter (ADC), and/or the like. The receiver 128 may be configured toamplify the received echo signals after proper gain compensation andconvert these received analog signals from each transducer element 124to digitized signals sampled uniformly in time. The digitized signalsrepresenting the received echoes are stored in memory 106, temporarily.The digitized signals correspond to the backscattered waves received byeach transducer element 124 at various times. After digitization, thesignals still may preserve the amplitude, frequency, phase informationof the backscatter waves.

Optionally, the controller circuit 102 may retrieve the digitizedsignals stored in the memory 106 to prepare for the beamformer processor130. For example, the controller circuit 102 may convert the digitizedsignals to baseband signals or compressing the digitized signals.

The beamformer processor 130 may include one or more processors.Optionally, the beamformer processor 130 may include a centralprocessing unit (CPU), one or more microprocessors, or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Additionally or alternatively, thebeamformer processor 130 may execute instructions stored on a tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 106) forbeamforming calculations using any suitable beamforming method such asadaptive beamforming, synthetic transmit focus, aberration correction,synthetic aperture, clutter reduction and/or adaptive noise control,and/or the like. Optionally, the beamformer processor 130 may beintegrated with and/or a part of the controller circuit 102. Forexample, the operations described as being performed by the beamformerprocessor 130 may be configured to be performed by the controllercircuit 102.

The beamformer processor 130 performs beamforming on the digitizedsignals of transducer elements and outputs a radio frequency (RF)signal. The RF signal is then provided to an RF processor 132 thatprocesses the RF signal. The RF processor 132 may include one or moreprocessors. Optionally, the RF processor 132 may include a centralprocessing unit (CPU), one or more microprocessors, or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the RFprocessor 132 may execute instructions stored on a tangible andnon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 106).Optionally, the RF processor 132 may be integrated with and/or a part ofthe controller circuit 102. For example, the operations described asbeing performed by the RF processor 132 may be configured to beperformed by the controller circuit 102.

The RF processor 132 may generate different ultrasound image data typesand/or modes (e.g., B-mode, C-mode, M-mode, color Doppler (e.g., colorflow, velocity/power/variance), tissue Doppler, and Doppler energy) formultiple scan planes or different scanning patterns based on thepredetermined settings of the first model. For example, the RF processor132 may generate tissue Doppler data for multi-scan planes. The RFprocessor 132 gathers the information (e.g., I/Q, B-mode, color Doppler,tissue Doppler, and Doppler energy information) related to multiple dataslices and stores the data information, which may include time stamp andorientation/rotation information, in the memory 106.

Alternatively, the RF processor 132 may include a complex demodulator(not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairsrepresentative of the echo signals. The RF or IQ signal data may then beprovided directly to the memory 106 for storage (e.g., temporarystorage). Optionally, the output of the beamformer processor 130 may bepassed directly to the controller circuit 102.

The controller circuit 102 may be configured to process the acquiredultrasound data (e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and prepareand/or generate frames of ultrasound image data representing theanatomical structure for display on the display 138. Acquired ultrasounddata may be processed in real-time by the controller circuit 102 duringthe ultrasound exam as the echo signals are received. Additionally oralternatively, the ultrasound data may be stored temporarily in thememory 106 during the ultrasound exam and processed in less thanreal-time in a live or off-line operation.

The memory 106 may be used for storing processed frames of acquiredultrasound data that are not scheduled to be displayed immediately or tostore post-processed images, firmware or software corresponding to, forexample, a graphical user interface, one or more default image displaysettings, programmed instructions, and/or the like. The memory 106 maystore the ultrasound images such as 3D ultrasound image data sets of theultrasound data, where such 3D ultrasound image data sets are accessedto present 2D and 3D images. For example, a 3D ultrasound image data setmay be mapped into the corresponding memory 106, as well as one or morereference planes. The processing of the ultrasound data, including theultrasound image data sets, may be based in part on user inputs, forexample, user selections received at the user interface 142.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 200 forgrouping a plurality of ultrasound images acquired during an ultrasoundexam in accordance with embodiments herein. The method 200, for example,may employ structures or aspects of various embodiments (e.g., systemsand/or methods) discussed herein. In various embodiments, certain steps(or operations) may be omitted or added, certain steps may be combined,certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may beperformed concurrently, certain steps may be split into multiple steps,certain steps may be performed in a different order, or certain steps orseries of steps may be re-performed in an iterative fashion. It may benoted that the steps described of the method 200 may be performed duringthe ultrasound exam in real-time. In various embodiments, portions,aspects, and/or variations of the method 200 may be used as one or morealgorithms to direct hardware to perform one or more operationsdescribed herein.

Beginning at 202, the controller circuit 102 acquires a plurality ofultrasound images during a first ultrasound exam. For example, theultrasound probe 126 acquires ultrasound data of the anatomicalstructure within the patient. During the first ultrasound exam of thepatient, the ultrasound probe 126 may emit ultrasound signals from thetransducer array 124 at a set rate within the patient. At least aportion of the ultrasound signals are backscattered from the anatomicalstructure of interest and received by the ultrasound probe 126 via thereceiver 128 as ultrasound data.

The controller circuit 102 is configured to generate the plurality ofultrasound images of the anatomical structure based on the ultrasounddata. The controller circuit 102 may be configured to process theacquired ultrasound data (e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) fromthe ultrasound probe 126 and prepare and/or generate frames ofultrasound image data. The ultrasound image data represents theplurality of ultrasound images of the anatomical structure.

Optionally, during the first ultrasound exam the clinician may performanatomical measurements on one or more of the plurality of ultrasoundimages. The anatomical measurements can be performed using diagnosticmeasurement tools. The diagnostic measurement tools is presented on aGUI. The diagnostic measurement tools include a plurality of userinterface components. The plurality of user interface componentsrepresent types of anatomical measurements to be performed by theclinician. For example, the clinician using the user interface 142 mayselect the diagnostic measurement tools. The controller circuit 102 isconfigured to display the plurality of user interface components relatedto the tool on the display 138. The plurality of user interfacecomponents enable the clinician to perform one or more anatomicalmeasurements. For example, one of the user interface componentsrepresent cursors. The clinician can position the cursors at one or moreanatomical characteristics and/or the anatomical structure. Thecontroller circuit 102 calculates a distance between the cursors. Thedistance can represent a diameter, height, width, and/or the like. Thedistance can represent the anatomical measurement. The controllercircuit 102 stores the anatomical measurements in the memory 106.

Additionally or alternatively, the first ultrasound exam may utilizeand/or follow one or more protocols. The protocol can be entered by theclinician. For example, the controller circuit 102 receives a userselection from the user interface 142 indicative of the protocol. Thecontroller circuit 102 can compare the protocol with a protocol databasestored in the memory 106. The protocol database may have a plurality ofprotocols having a pathology of interest, a clinical diagnosis, and/oranatomical structure of interest. The controller circuit 102 may selectthe protocol in the memory 106 that matches the user selection for thefirst ultrasound exam. Optionally, the clinician may define the protocolusing the user interface 142. For example, the controller circuit 102may receive user selections from the user interface 142 defining theprotocol. Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 mayreceive the protocol along the bi-directional communication link fromthe remote server.

Optionally, the protocol is identified by the controller circuit 102based on the clinical diagnosis or the pathology of interest. Forexample, the controller circuit 102 receives a user selection indicativeof the clinical diagnosis and/or the pathology of interest from the userinterface 142. The controller circuit 102 searches within the protocoldatabase for a protocol that includes an anatomical characteristic oranatomical structure included in the clinical diagnosis or the pathologyof interest.

At 204, the controller circuit 102 analyzes the plurality of ultrasoundimages to identify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images300. FIG. 3 illustrates the ultrasound images 300 and groups 310. Thecontroller circuit 102 executes the image analysis algorithm stored inthe memory 106. The controller circuit 102 identifies one or moreanatomical characteristics in at least the ultrasound images 300. Forexample, the controller circuit 102 identifies one or more anatomicalcharacteristics 303-308 of a select ultrasound image 302. Optionally,the remaining ultrasound images may not include one or more anatomicalcharacteristics and/or the anatomical characteristic was not identifiedby the controller circuit 102.

The controller circuit 102 can determine a class of the one or moreanatomical characteristics 303-308. The controller circuit 102identifies a size (e.g., dimensions) and location of the one or moreanatomical characteristics 303-308 relative to the anatomical structure.For example, the controller circuit 102 identifies the anatomicalcharacteristics 304, 306-308 as chambers based on sizes and a locationperipherally with respect to the anatomical structure. The controllercircuit 102 determines the class of the anatomical characteristic 305 asan aorta. The controller circuit 102 determines the class of theanatomical characteristic based on a central location of the anatomicalcharacteristic 305 within the anatomical structure.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 identifies theclass of the anatomical characteristics 303-304, 306-308 based on a sizeand/or position. The controller circuit 102 compares a size of theanatomical characteristics 303-304, 306-308 with each other. Thecontroller circuit 102 determines the anatomical characteristic 304 isthe largest chamber relative to the anatomical characteristics 306-308.The controller circuit 102 determines that the largest chamberrepresents the left ventricle. The anatomical characteristic 303 ispositioned between the anatomical characteristics 304 and 307. Thecontroller circuit 102 determines that the anatomical characteristic 303is associated with a mitral valve, which separates the left ventricle(e.g., the anatomical characteristic 304) and the left atrium.

Optionally, the controller circuit 102 determines the view window of theselect ultrasound image 302. The controller circuit 102 determines theview window based on the orientation and/or spatial position of theanatomical characteristics 303-308. For example, the controller circuit102 determined that the anatomical characteristics 304, 306-308represents four chambers, and the anatomical characteristic 305represent the aorta of the anatomical structure. The controller circuit102 compares a position of the anatomical characteristics 304-308 witheach other. The controller circuit 102 determines that the position ofthe anatomical characteristics 304-308 within the select ultrasoundimage 302 is a parasternal long axis four chamber view window.

The controller circuit 102 can further analyze the ultrasound images 300to include the pathological (e.g., pathology of interest), theanatomical function, and/or ultrasonic characteristics of the ultrasoundimages 300.

The anatomical characteristic is indicative of the pathology ofinterest. The pathology of interest is based on a portion of theanatomical structure having an irregular and/or structural deviation.The portion of the anatomical structure corresponds to the anatomicalcharacteristic analyzed by the controller circuit 102. For example, thepathology of interest may represent valvular stenosis of the mitralvalve. The controller circuit 102 analyzes the ultrasound images 300 forthe anatomical characteristic that represents the mitral valvecorresponding to the pathology of interest.

In another example, the anatomical characteristics is indicative of theanatomical function. The anatomical function can be based on thedetermination for the clinical diagnosis. Optionally, the anatomicalfunction can be identified by the controller circuit 102 based on theultrasound image mode of the plurality of ultrasound images. Forexample, the anatomical function relates to a cardiac function. Thecontroller circuit 102 analyzes the ultrasound images 300 for ultrasoniccharacteristics that are used to measure the cardiac function. Theultrasonic characteristics representing different pixel colors of theultrasound image modes used to measure the anatomical function. Forexample, the controller circuit 102 analyzes the ultrasound images 300acquired during a Doppler ultrasound image mode (e.g., color flow), thedifferent pixel colors quantify the cardiac function (e.g., blood flow)of the anatomical characteristic.

The controller circuit 102 can be configured to analyze the ultrasoundimages 300 concurrently, simultaneously, and/or in real-time as theultrasound images are being acquired.

At 206, the controller circuit 102 groups the ultrasound images 300 intothe groups 310 based on the anatomical characteristics (e.g., theanatomical characteristics 303-308). Optionally, the groups 310 may bebased on the pathology of interest, the clinical diagnosis, the viewwindows of the anatomical structure, and/or the like. The controllercircuit 102 assigns the ultrasound images 300 into one or more differentgroups 310. The controller circuit 102 assigns the ultrasound images 300to corresponding groups 310 based on the anatomical characteristics inthe ultrasound images 300.

For example, a portion of the groups 310 may correspond to apathological (e.g., the pathology of interest) characteristic. Thepathology of interest may be received during the first ultrasound exam(e.g., based on the protocol). For example, the pathology of interestcan represent an aortic valve. The controller circuit 102 identifies theone or more anatomical characteristics of the ultrasound images 300 thatrepresent the aortic valve into one of the groups 310. For example, aportion of the ultrasound images 300 having the anatomicalcharacteristic representing the aortic valve is assigned by thecontroller circuit 102 to the group 310 a.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 may group theultrasound images 300 independent of the protocol. For example, thecontroller circuit 102 may assign the ultrasound images 300 having acommon anatomical characteristic into common groups 310.

In another example, a portion of the groups 310 may correspond to theanatomical function. The anatomical function utilized for the clinicaldiagnosis received during the first ultrasound exam (e.g., based on theprotocol). For example, the anatomical function is assessed to determinea disease and/or symptom of the patient for the clinical diagnosis. Theanatomical function can be a diastolic function. The controller circuit102 identifies the one or more anatomical characteristics of theultrasound images 300 indicative of the diastolic function. Theidentification of the controller circuit 102 of the one or moreanatomical characteristics can be based on a decision tree. The decisiontree can be included within the protocol. The decision tree includesview windows of the anatomical structure having an ultrasound imagemode, anatomical measurements, and/or the like. The decision tree forthe diastolic function can include view windows that include the leftventricle, left atrium, mitral valve, and/or the like. Optionally, thecontroller circuit 102 may select the ultrasound images 300 that have acorresponding ultrasound image mode based on the anatomical function.For example, the controller circuit 102 may select the ultrasound imagesthat have ultrasound characteristics of the ultrasound image mode of theanatomical function, such as he left ventricle and mitral valve during aDoppler modality and/or M-mode. The controller circuit 102 may assignthe anatomical characteristics for the anatomical function to the group310 b.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 may group theultrasound images 300 independent of the protocol. For example, thecontroller circuit 102 may assign the ultrasound images 300 representinga common anatomical function into common groups 310.

In another example, a portion of the groups 310 may correspond to theview windows and/or the anatomical measurements. The view windows and/orthe anatomical measurements may be based on the protocol. The controllercircuit 102 assigns the view windows and/or the anatomical measurementsof the protocol to a group 310 c.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 may group theultrasound images 300 independent of the protocol. For example, thecontroller circuit 102 may assign the ultrasound images 300 representinga common view window into common groups 310.

At 208, the controller circuit 102 tags the ultrasound images 300. Thetags represent at least one of the view window, the anatomicalstructure, a pathology of interest, or the anatomical characteristic ofthe corresponding ultrasound images 300. The tags can be a graphicalicon. The graphical icon includes textual information, numericalinformation, graphical information, and/or the like. The graphical iconis indicative of the view window, the anatomical structure, the portionof the anatomical structure indicative of the pathology of interest, orthe anatomical characteristic of the ultrasound image. The controllercircuit 102 adds the tags to one or more of the ultrasound images 300.For example, the controller circuit 102 overlays and/or positions thetag adjacent to one or more of the ultrasound images 300.

At 210, the controller circuit 102 determines whether the protocol wasreceived. For example, the protocol can be received by the controllercircuit 102 from the user interface 142. Optionally, the protocol may bereceived prior to and/or during the first ultrasound exam.

If the protocol was received, then at 214, the controller circuit 102compares the ultrasound images 300 to the protocol. For example, thecontroller circuit 102 identifies the view windows and/or the anatomicalmeasurements of the ultrasound images 300. The controller circuit 102compares the identified view windows and/or the anatomicalcharacteristics with the protocol.

At 216, the controller circuit 102 identifies a number of ultrasoundimages 300 relative to the protocol. For example, the controller circuit102 determines a difference between the identified view windows and/orthe anatomical measurements of the ultrasound images 300 with theprotocol. The difference represents view windows and/or the anatomicalmeasurements of the protocol that have not been acquired. For example,the difference is a number of ultrasound images missing relative to theprotocol. Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 102 maydisplay which of the view windows and/or the anatomical measurementsmissing on the display 138. Optionally, the controller circuit 102 maygenerate a graphical icon such as a bar, a pie chart, a gauge, and/orthe like. The graphical icon is indicative on the difference. Thegraphical icon may be color-coded (e.g., such as green, red) to indicatea progression of a completion of the protocol. Optionally, the graphicalicon may include textual information such as a percentage, a ratio ornumber of acquired view windows and/or anatomical measurements.

If the protocol was not received, then at 212, the controller circuit102 receives a user selection representing the pathology of interest,the clinical diagnosis, the view window of the anatomical structure. Forexample, the controller circuit 102 may display a prompt and/or windowon the display 138 to request from the clinician the pathology ofinterest, the clinical diagnosis, the view window of the anatomicalstructure. The clinician using the user interface 142 can select thepathology of interest, the clinical diagnosis, the view window of theanatomical structure, and/or the like in response to the prompt and/orthe window. The selection is received from the user interface 142 by thecontroller circuit 102.

At 218, the controller circuit 102 determines whether a candidate trendwas selected by the clinician. The candidate trend is indicative of achange in at least one of a pathology of interest, an anatomicalmeasurement, or a view window between at least two ultrasound exams. Forexample, the clinician using the user interface 142 selects a userinterface component shown on the displays 138 representing the candidatetrend. The controller circuit 102 can determined that the candidatetrend was received from the selection of the user interface component bythe user interface 142.

If the candidate trend was not selected, then at 220, the controllercircuit 102 displays at least one group 310 on the GUI 400. FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment of the GUI 400 shown on the display 138. TheGUI 400 includes a plurality of user interface components 404. The userinterface components 404 may include a plurality of graphical iconsrepresenting the plurality of ultrasound images organized into thecorresponding groups 310. Optionally, the user interface components 404may include the tag information 410. For example, the tag information410 represents the graphical icon generated by the controller circuit102 at 208, and overlaid and/or adjacent to the user interfacecomponents 404 representing an ultrasound image. Additionally oralternatively, the user interface components 404 may include theanatomical measurements 412, which is shown concurrently with the userinterface components 404. The user interface components 404 include theplurality of ultrasound images representing different ultrasound imagemodes, for example, Doppler or color flow ultrasound image 416.Optionally, the user interface components 404 may be shown as a list, avisual representation of the VW (e.g., a mock-up of a position of theanatomical markers, simulation, of the ultrasound image having the VW),and/or the like.

The groups 310 of the ultrasound images 300 are shown as the userinterface components 406. A number of the groups 310 may be based on theone or more protocols and/or the selection (e.g., the pathology ofinterest, the clinical diagnosis, the view window of the anatomicalstructure) by the clinician at 212. For example, the first ultrasoundexam may include the one or more protocols for acquiring differentanatomical characteristics, such as valves, of the anatomical structure.The user interface components 406 represent different valves identifiedby the controller circuit 102 from the portion of ultrasound images 300.

For example, the controller circuit 102 grouped the portion ofultrasound images 300 into four groups 310, such as a mitral valve, atricuspid valve, aortic valve, and pulmonic valve. The four groups 310can be based on the anatomical characteristics identified by thecontroller circuit 102. Optionally, the user interface components 406may be utilized by the clinician to adjust an order and/or filter theuser interface components 404. For example, the controller circuit 102may display the user interface components 404 corresponding to aselected group. The controller circuit 102 determines which group 310 isselected based on a selection of one of the user interface components406. When one of the user interface components 406 is selected, thecontroller circuit 102 may adjust a position and/or filter the userinterface components 404. The user interface components 404 are adjustedand/or filtered such that only the user interface components 404corresponding to the selected user interface component 406 aredisplayed. For example, the GUI 400 shows the mitral valve is selectedfrom the user interface components 406. The controller circuit 102displays the portion of ultrasound images 300 that are grouped or havethe anatomical characteristic representing the mitral valve.

If the candidate trend was selected, then at 222, the controller circuit102 selects sets of ultrasound images from the first ultrasound exam anda second ultrasound exam. The second ultrasound exam may represent aplurality of ultrasound images. The second ultrasound exam is temporallydifferent than the first ultrasound exam. The plurality of ultrasoundimages may be stored in the memory 106 and/or accessed by the controllercircuit 102 from the remote server via the bi-directional communicationlink.

Additionally or alternatively, the second ultrasound exam may beselected by the clinician. For example, the controller circuit 102 mayidentify a number of previous ultrasound exams of the patient. Theclinician may select one or more of the previous ultrasound exams as thesecond ultrasound exam from the user interface 142.

Optionally, the plurality of ultrasound images of the second ultrasoundexam have not been analyzed by the controller circuit 102. For example,the plurality of ultrasound images have not been grouped based on theanatomical characteristics. The candidate trend is indicative of changein at least one of the pathology of interest or the anatomicalmeasurement. To determine the change in the pathology of interest or theanatomical measurement, the controller circuit 102 groups the pluralityof ultrasound images by performing the method 200 at operations 204-208.

The controller circuit 102 selects sets of the portion of ultrasoundimages 300 of the first and second ultrasound exams based on thecandidate trend. The sets of the plurality of ultrasound images may bedefined based on the candidate trend. For example, the sets representthe pathology of interest or the anatomical characteristic correspondingto the anatomical measurement of the candidate trend.

At 224, the controller circuit 102 determines a difference between thesets of ultrasound images of the first and second ultrasound exams. Thecontroller circuit 102 may select pairs of the ultrasound images fromthe sets of ultrasound images based on the candidate trend. For example,the controller circuit 102 compares the sets of ultrasound images witheach other to identify pairs of the ultrasound images that have the sameview window, the anatomical function, the anatomical characteristic,and/or have the same anatomical characteristics corresponding to thepathology of interest. The identified pairs of the ultrasound images arecompared by the controller circuit 102 to determine a difference betweenthe first and second ultrasound exams.

For example, the controller circuit 102 compares the anatomicalcharacteristic in the pairs of the ultrasound images. The controllercircuit 102 identifies differences in a size, shape, dimensions, and/orthe like of the anatomical characteristic between the pairs of medicalimages

In another example, the controller circuit 102 identifies differences inthe anatomical measurements of the anatomical characteristic between thepairs of the ultrasound images of the first and second ultrasound exams.The controller circuit 102 compares the anatomical measurement of thepairs to determine a difference between the anatomical measurements. Forexample, the difference may represent a difference in anatomicalmeasurements between the first and second ultrasound exams.

Additionally or alternatively, the trend may represent changes in theanatomical function of the anatomical structure. For example, thecontroller circuit 102 compares the ultrasonic characteristics betweenthe pairs of ultrasound images of the first and second ultrasound exams.The ultrasonic characteristics may correspond to differences in pixelsof the ultrasound image mode of the pairs of the ultrasound images. Forexample, the anatomical function may be the cardiac function of theanatomical structure. The pairs of the ultrasound images were acquiredduring the Doppler ultrasound image mode (e.g., Doppler or color flowultrasound image 416). The controller circuit 102 compares the pixelcolors representing the different quantified cardiac functions of theanatomical structure to determine a difference between the anatomicalfunctions. For example, the difference may represent the difference inthe quantified cardiac functions between the first and second ultrasoundexams.

At 226, the controller circuit 102 displays the difference and the setsof ultrasound images on a GUI 500. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment ofthe GUI 500 on the display 138. The GUI 500 includes the user interfacecomponents 402 and 502. The user interface components 502 may include aplurality of graphical icons representing the plurality of ultrasoundimages organized into sets of ultrasound images 504, 506. The set ofultrasound images 504 represent the ultrasound images acquired duringthe first ultrasound exam. The set of ultrasound images 506 representsthe ultrasound images acquired during the second ultrasound exam. Thesets of ultrasound images 504, 506 are grouped in to pairs of medicalimages.

The user interface components 502 include difference windows 507-509.The difference windows 507-509 may include textual, numerical, and/orgraphical information indicating a difference between the pairs ofmedical images. For example, the difference windows 507-509 indicate thedifference between the pairs of medical images representing the sets ofultrasound images 504, 506.

Additionally or alternatively, the user interface component 402 mayinclude an overall difference window 510 generated by the controllercircuit 102. The overall difference window 510 includes textual,numerical, and/or graphical information indicating a difference betweenthe first and second ultrasound exam among the sets of ultrasound images504, 506.

In an embodiment a method is provided. The method includes acquiring aplurality of ultrasound images of an anatomical structure during a firstultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasoundprobe. The method includes analyzing the ultrasound images to identifyan anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images, grouping theultrasound images into groups based on the anatomical characteristic,and displaying at least one group of the ultrasound images on agraphical user interface (GUI).

Optionally, the anatomical characteristic of the analyzing operation isindicative of a pathology of interest or an anatomical function of theanatomical structure.

Optionally, the analyzing operation includes identifying the anatomicalstructure within the ultrasound images and determining an orientation ofthe anatomical structure associated with a view window.

Optionally, the grouping operation is further based on at least one ofi) a pathology of interest, ii) an anatomical function, or iii) viewwindows of the anatomical structure.

Optionally, the method includes tagging the ultrasound images based onat least one of a view window, the anatomical structure, a pathology ofinterest, or the anatomical characteristic of a first ultrasound image.

Optionally, the method includes selecting a first set of ultrasoundimages of the ultrasound images and a second set of ultrasound imagesfrom a second ultrasound exam based on a candidate trend. The candidatetrend being indicative of a change in at least one of a pathology ofinterest, an anatomical measurement, an anatomical function, or a viewwindow. The method includes determining a difference between the firstand second sets of ultrasound images.

Optionally, the method includes comparing the ultrasound images to aprotocol. The protocol including a plurality of view windows of ananatomical structure. The method includes identifying a number ofultrasound images relative to the protocol.

Optionally, the anatomical structure includes at least one of a heart, abone, a brain, a head, a bladder, a kidney, a liver, or a vascularstructure.

In an embodiment a medical imaging system is provided. The systemincludes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data of ananatomical structure. The system includes a display and a controllercircuit. The controller circuit is configured to acquire a plurality ofultrasound images during a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasounddata received from an ultrasound probe, analyze the ultrasound images toidentify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images, groupthe ultrasound images into groups based on the anatomicalcharacteristics, and display at least one group on a graphical userinterface (GUI).

Optionally, the controller circuit is configured to analyze theultrasound images to identify the anatomical characteristic, which isindicative of a pathology of interest or an anatomical function of theanatomical structure.

Optionally, the controller circuit is configured to identify ananatomical structure within the ultrasound images and determine anorientation of the anatomical structure associated with a view window.

Optionally, the controller circuit is configured to group the portion ofultrasound images further based on at least one of i) a pathology ofinterest, ii) an anatomical function, or iii) view windows of theanatomical structure.

Optionally, the controller circuit is configured to tag the portion ofultrasound images based on at least one of a view window, an anatomicalstructure, an anatomical function, a pathology of interest, or ananatomical characteristic of a first ultrasound image.

Optionally, the system includes a user interface. The controller circuitis configured to receive a candidate trend from the user interface. Thecandidate trend is indicative of a change in at least one of a pathologyof interest, an anatomical measurement, or a view window. Additionallyor alternatively, the controller circuit is configured to select a firstset of ultrasound images based on the candidate trend from the firstultrasound exam and a second set of ultrasound images from a secondultrasound exam. The controller circuit is further configured todetermine a difference between the first and second set of ultrasoundimages.

Optionally, the controller circuit is configured to compare theultrasound images to a protocol. The protocol including a plurality offield of views of an anatomical structure, and identify a number ofultrasound images missing relative to the protocol.

Optionally, the anatomical structure includes at least one of a heart, abone, a brain, a head, a bladder, a kidney, a liver, or a vascularstructure.

In an embodiment, a tangible and non-transitory computer readable mediumthat includes one or more programmed instructions is provided. The oneor more programmed instructions are configured to direct one or moreprocessors to acquire a plurality of ultrasound images during anultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasoundprobe, analyze the ultrasound images to identify an anatomicalcharacteristic in the ultrasound images, group the ultrasound imagesinto groups based on the anatomical characteristics, and display atleast one group on a graphical user interface (GUI).

Optionally, the one or more processors are directed to analyze theultrasound images to identify the anatomical characteristic, which isindicative of a pathology of interest or an anatomical function of theanatomical structure.

Optionally, the one or more processors are directed to group theultrasound images based on at least one of i) a pathology of interest,ii) an anatomical function, or iii) view windows of the anatomicalstructure.

It may be noted that the various embodiments may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination thereof. The various embodimentsand/or components, for example, the modules, or components andcontrollers therein, also may be implemented as part of one or morecomputers or processors. The computer or processor may include acomputing device, an input device, a display unit and an interface, forexample, for accessing the Internet. The computer or processor mayinclude a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to acommunication bus. The computer or processor may also include a memory.The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory(ROM). The computer or processor further may include a storage device,which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as asolid-state drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage devicemay also be other similar means for loading computer programs or otherinstructions into the computer or processor.

As used herein, the term “computer,” “subsystem,” “controller circuit,”“circuit,” or “module” may include any processor-based ormicroprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers,reduced instruction set computers (RISC), ASICs, logic circuits, and anyother circuit or processor capable of executing the functions describedherein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intendedto limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term“controller circuit”.

The computer, subsystem, controller circuit, circuit execute a set ofinstructions that are stored in one or more storage elements, in orderto process input data. The storage elements may also store data or otherinformation as desired or needed. The storage element may be in the formof an information source or a physical memory element within aprocessing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct thecomputer, subsystem, controller circuit, and/or circuit to performspecific operations such as the methods and processes of the variousembodiments. The set of instructions may be in the form of a softwareprogram. The software may be in various forms such as system software orapplication software and which may be embodied as a tangible andnon-transitory computer readable medium. Further, the software may be inthe form of a collection of separate programs or modules, a programmodule within a larger program or a portion of a program module. Thesoftware also may include modular programming in the form ofobject-oriented programming. The processing of input data by theprocessing machine may be in response to operator commands, or inresponse to results of previous processing, or in response to a requestmade by another processing machine.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed,constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task oroperation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an objectthat is merely capable of being modified to perform the task oroperation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as usedherein. Instead, the use of “configured to” as used herein denotesstructural adaptations or characteristics, and denotes structuralrequirements of any structure, limitation, or element that is describedas being “configured to” perform the task or operation. For example, acontroller circuit, circuit, processor, or computer that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation may be understood as being particularlystructured to perform the task or operation (e.g., having one or moreprograms or instructions stored thereon or used in conjunction therewithtailored or intended to perform the task or operation, and/or having anarrangement of processing circuitry tailored or intended to perform thetask or operation). For the purposes of clarity and the avoidance ofdoubt, a general purpose computer (which may become “configured to”perform the task or operation if appropriately programmed) is not“configured to” perform a task or operation unless or until specificallyprogrammed or structurally modified to perform the task or operation.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by acomputer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions andtypes of materials described herein are intended to define theparameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting andare merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents ofthe respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in thefollowing claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the followingclaims are not written in means-plus-function format and are notintended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless and untilsuch claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed bya statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the various embodiments, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or the examples includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method, comprising:acquiring a plurality of ultrasound images of an anatomical structureduring a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from anultrasound probe; analyzing the ultrasound images to identify ananatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images; grouping theultrasound images into groups based on the anatomical characteristic;and displaying at least one group of the ultrasound images on agraphical user interface (GUI).
 2. The computer implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the anatomical characteristic of the analyzingoperation is indicative of a pathology of interest or an anatomicalfunction of the anatomical structure.
 3. The computer implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the analyzing operation includes identifying theanatomical structure within the ultrasound images and determining anorientation of the anatomical structure associated with a view window.4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the groupingoperation is further based on at least one of i) a pathology ofinterest, ii) an anatomical function, or iii) view windows of theanatomical structure.
 5. The computer implemented method of claim 1,further comprising tagging the ultrasound images based on at least oneof a view window, the anatomical structure, a pathology of interest, orthe anatomical characteristic of a first ultrasound image.
 6. Thecomputer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising selecting afirst set of ultrasound images of the ultrasound images and a second setof ultrasound images from a second ultrasound exam based on a candidatetrend, wherein the candidate trend is indicative of a change in at leastone of a pathology of interest, an anatomical measurement, an anatomicalfunction, or a view window; and determining a difference between thefirst and second sets of ultrasound images.
 7. The computer implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising comparing the ultrasound images toa protocol, wherein the protocol includes a plurality of view windows ofan anatomical structure; and identifying a number of ultrasound imagesrelative to the protocol.
 8. The computer implemented method of claim 1,wherein the anatomical structure includes at least one of a heart, abone, a brain, a head, a bladder, a kidney, a liver, or a vascularstructure.
 9. A medical imaging system comprising: an ultrasound probeconfigured to acquire ultrasound data of an anatomical structure; adisplay; and a controller circuit configured to: acquire a plurality ofultrasound images during a first ultrasound exam based on ultrasounddata received from an ultrasound probe; analyze the ultrasound images toidentify an anatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images; groupthe ultrasound images into groups based on the anatomicalcharacteristics; and display at least one group on a graphical userinterface (GUI).
 10. The medical imaging system of claim 9, wherein thecontroller circuit is configured to analyze the ultrasound images toidentify the anatomical characteristic, which is indicative of apathology of interest or an anatomical function of the anatomicalstructure.
 11. The medical imaging system of claim 9, wherein thecontroller circuit is configured to identify an anatomical structurewithin the ultrasound images and determine an orientation of theanatomical structure associated with a view window.
 12. The medicalimaging system of claim 9, wherein the controller circuit is configuredto group the portion of ultrasound images further based on at least oneof i) a pathology of interest, ii) an anatomical function, or iii) viewwindows of the anatomical structure.
 13. The medical imaging system ofclaim 9, wherein the controller circuit is configured to tag the portionof ultrasound images based on at least one of a view window, ananatomical structure, an anatomical function, a pathology of interest,or an anatomical characteristic of a first ultrasound image.
 14. Themedical imaging system of claim 9, further comprising a user interface,wherein the controller circuit is configured to receive a candidatetrend from the user interface, wherein the candidate trend is indicativeof a change in at least one of a pathology of interest, an anatomicalmeasurement, or a view window.
 15. The medical imaging system of claim14, wherein the controller circuit is configured to select a first setof ultrasound images based on the candidate trend from the firstultrasound exam and a second set of ultrasound images from a secondultrasound exam, and determine a difference between the first and secondset of ultrasound images.
 16. The medical imaging system of claim 9,wherein the controller circuit is configured to compare the ultrasoundimages to a protocol, wherein the protocol includes a plurality of fieldof views of an anatomical structure, and identify a number of ultrasoundimages missing relative to the protocol.
 17. The medical imaging systemof claim 9, wherein the anatomical structure includes at least one of aheart, a bone, a brain, a head, a bladder, a kidney, a liver, or avascular structure.
 18. A tangible and non-transitory computer readablemedium comprising one or more programmed instructions configured todirect one or more processors to: acquire a plurality of ultrasoundimages during an ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received froman ultrasound probe; analyze the ultrasound images to identify ananatomical characteristic in the ultrasound images; group the ultrasoundimages into groups based on the anatomical characteristics; and displayat least one group on a graphical user interface (GUI).
 19. The tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the oneor more processors are directed to analyze the ultrasound images toidentify the anatomical characteristic, which is indicative of apathology of interest or an anatomical function of the anatomicalstructure.
 20. The tangible and non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are directed to groupthe ultrasound images based on at least one of i) a pathology ofinterest, ii) an anatomical function, or iii) view windows of theanatomical structure.